Sulky



Nov. 13, 192s. 1,691,390

H. W. HANAN SULKY Filed Oct. 3, 1924 INVENTR EWImm/W the shafts, no clear line of division exists the friction created by the wheels.

Patented Nov. 13, 1928,.

aras PATENT orsi-ce. f

SULKY.

Application fiieaoctober s, 1924. serial No. 741,394.

This invention relates `to Aa sulky of the `type used 'in racing `and especially vto a method and means `for reducing friction' and wind resistance therein.

A two-wheeled sulky Y of' the type 'now used inracing presents considerable `area to the Vwind and thereby reduces the speed of the vehicle, in spite of the fact that it is only an open framework of light, metallic' parts. Furthermore, the speed iis/reduced by the `friction losses'caused by dthe wheels, which losses arise not only from-the axle bearings,- 'but also from the une'venness of the surtace oi` the road over which the vehicle is being drawn. The speed is also reduced by the wind resistance of the spokes of each wheel.

My invention consfsts in minimizing the loss in speed due "to wind resistance by reducing the area of the sulky framework that is presented Ito the wind, and, also, in reducing i These results are obtained largely by the'employ- Vment of a single ruiming wheel incombina- -tion with a framework of novel design, the

sulky 'being characterized not only 'by light-- .fness but also by strength and rigidity.

. The invention will lbe clearly understood from the 'following description when read in connection with the attached drawing, of whichFigui-e il -is a plan 'view ofthe sulky embodying my invention; Fig. 1fL is a cross-` section of the shaft structure at mfg of Fig. i; Figs. -2 and 3 are, respectively, side and rear elevations ofthe sulky F d is l'a frage ment of `the side view as shown'in Fig. 2`but embodying a modiiication'in the form of a stabilizing wheel, andvFig. 5 is a rear view of the sulky asthus modified.

Figure l, which is a plan viewv of thek snlky, comprises a single wheel l, which will be designated the running wheel in order to dstinguish it from the so-calledY stabilizing wheels shown in Figs. l and 5. rlrhis runnin g wheel, which may be of the disct-y'pe or of the ordinary bicycle type, is'supported by an axle, the bearings vi'or which are located in the members constituting the rear end'of the trame of the sulky. Anyiorm of bearing may be used, but, in order to reduce friction 'a ball or roller bearing would be pref-` erable.

While the lframework of the sulky comprises what maybe termed the body and also structurer-ily between these parts. Themenl- Y rigid structure.

bers that form the shafts are so bent and proportioned as to form the body, thus making the framework ofthe sulky a unitary, The shafts 2 and which, for the purpose of descriptionmay be considered 'as thatpart cf the frame extending from the line a-a to the point @should be y of such length that the hind feet ofthe/horse will not ycome in contact witlrthe running wheel l; Each shaft is made up Iofla p'lurality' of members extending from aypoint near the -vorward'end of the shaft to the rea-r of the said shaft and continuingvo'n to .form the body of the sulky. The membersare `bound closely together near the forward part l.throughout the body -portion but'arfe gradually brought together at vor near thepoint where the axle ofthe .running wheel is supported. A clear idea of the form offthe shafts,` maybe obtained from Fig. L1*,1which is a cross-section of the shaft?) at the point -y. As will be seen, thel shaft is madeup of-three members, designated 4, 5 and 6. In the plan view', which l represents, only the members 4 and 5 are shown but, as will be seen from 1VFig. l, another member 'extends in substantially the same vert-ical plane as 'the member 4L. "'VVhile any of a number odevices may be used for holding the members apart, a desirable 'form consists. ofa- "spreader `'having three V'sides and -`havingI sockets at the corners thereof which conform` to the surface of lthe vmembers vwhich are braced apart. A bolt forming part of veach socket extends 'through the member, vand is secured by a nut on the outer end. vOther Vvways within-'thescope of thisinvention will suggest themselves to any one skilled in the art. The members4, 5 and 6 shouidbe proportionedv and varranged Vsubstantially as shownin Figs. l and'Zof'the'drawing. The

` structure in the manner shown schematically in Figs. l and 2. supported by `two rods 8 which have the requisite springiness to render the .saddle free from shocks and vibrations. These rods are supported at their two ends by cross membersl) and 10,. thofoiward Cross inein-A ber 9 beng supported by the members 4 ol' the framework of the sulky and the rear `cross member kl() being supported by the struts l1 and l2, extending to and connected with the framework at or near the point of support of the rear axle, as wn Clearly in FiOs. Q and'. Vertical adinstinentof the Ysaddle may also be provided in well known ways, but it is felt that7 in general? tlie-liorih Zout-al adjust-ment will suflice. lilhile a saddle is mentioned, it is to be understood thatV any form of seat may be used in connection with this sulky. i

" (Stirrups i3 are supported by the curved members 14 which are attached to the lower member-6 of the frame ofthe sully, shown in Figs. l to 3. The arrangement of the stirrup and its modeof support shown in the drawing is merely toillustrate a possible way and constitute'sno limitation upon the invention since other ways of supporting the stirrup will readily occur to one familiar with thel art of sulky buildinfcr.y lihile stirrups may be put between the inei'nbeis.at` and i of the frame, thus occupying a position similari-'to the stirrups oftli sulkies now in use it is believedy 'that it is better practice to position the stirrups as shown in the drawing because this tends to keep 4the center ofl gravity of the sulky and driver closer to the ground and therebyincreases the stability.

Figures 4. and 5 show a modified form of sulkyhaving not only a single running wheel' but also ,stabilizing vwheels l5 rigidly supported at a` xed distanceupon both sides of the running wheel. 'lhe stabilizing wheels are 'carried by axles 1.6 that extend from the framework of .the sulky. 'ln the form 4of sulky shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the framework is so proportioned that the axle of the running wheel is supported at the rear extremity of the framework. In ordervto provide for the attachment of the stabilizing wheels, this framework may be extended beyond the point where the axle of the running wheel isv supportedso as to provide a bearing` surface for supporting the axles of the stabilizing wheels. This is clearlyshown Figa This saddle is niovablyy ranffement .would l and 5.l In, order Y to provide requisite strength and rigidity, struts 17 and 18 extend from the body of the framework to the outerf Y ends of the axles carrying the stabilizing wheels. `These wheels are of such lsize andV the axles that carry theml are at such a dis tance from the Oround that neit-lier wheel Y will come inv Contact with the ground until` known', in rounding` a curve at high speed the horse and sulky will lean toward the inside of the curve.v lt may be possible that under certain conditions the degree to whichthe 'sulky leans may be such as to render itun- I stable. rllhis point may be determined by experiment or practical Vexperience and the stabilizing wheels should be so .positioned that they will. come in Contact with the ground only when the running'wheel turns to an angle of that degree. l r

i/Jhile I have described the axles of the stabilizing wheels as being rigidly fastened to the framework Aand rigidly trussed, I do not want to limit niyinvention to such ya structure. .It may be desirable to have a flexible, e. g. va hinged connectionbetween each axle and the frameworkand alsoy to have springs in the struts extending from the outer ends of each axle to the framework of the sulky, which would be compressed bygan Such. an an' upward movement of thevaxle be act in the VnatureV of a shock absorber to reduce the strain upon the framework whenever one of the stabilizing wheels came in contact with the ground. The suggested modification is, of course, only one, of many possible arrangements for supporting the stabilizing wheels.-

' ln Fig. 5 Iphave omitted showing the sup porting members for the saddle andalso the stirrups inorderrto avoid complexityfin'V the drawing but the saddle and stirr-ups will be supported yin the sulky Vhaving stabilizingV wheels substantially the'same which they are in Fig.

Vlt will be apparent :from the foregoing description that a sulky of the character described possesses ahigher degree of rigidity and Astillness than any known hitherto' in the art. Such a structure, especially of the form shown in. Figs. .1 to'3, reduces the losses in manner in speed due to the mechanical friction of the rotating parts and also .that due to wind resistancel which is offered bythe' exposed parts of the body and by ythe spokes ofthe running wheel. Y

While this invention has been disclosed as embodied ina particular form it is to be understood that the form may be varied without going beyond. the scope Y ofV the claims. For example, the framework is not necessarilyv limited to the triangular truss structure shown in detail in flagsince CIV other 'forms of structure may well be used to attain the object of the invention. Y

llVhat is claimed is:

1. A sulky. having ya single wheel and Aframework 'comprising' shafts and a :body

supported by the said` wheel, each shaft being made up of 4'a vplurality of spaced -members, of which at least one lies outsid the plane of the others.

Ashaft Acomprising a plurality of members,

of which Aat least one lies`outside the plane. of the others, the said members extending from a point near the forward. end of the shaftto the point of support of the said wheel, and being Closely bound together near their extremities, but spread apart betweenv their extremities so as to substantiallyy prevent bending of thel framework.

t. A sulky frame consisting of a plurality of spaced members, of which at least `one lies outside the plane of the others, the said members being so proportioned and designed as to form shafts and a saddle-supporting body, and being so arranged as to render the frame substantially rigid. y

5. A sulky shaft made up of more than two substantially similarmembersso spaced apart and fixedly held as to render the shaft substantially rigid.v

6. A sulky frame work consisting of shafts and a body formed of a plurality kof members, the members that constitute each of the said shafts being shaped and proportionedY to constitute also one half of lthe body, means to rigidly connect and hold together the said halves and asingle running wheel supported by the said body.

7. Av sulky framework comprising shafts and a body, each shaft and one half of the `v body consisting ofr a plurality of members rigidly and closely bound together near the forward end of the shaft, but spreading apart as they extend rearwardly and being held rigidly apart at fixed distances, then converging at the end of the body.

8. A sulky having a framework consisting of shafts and a body formed by a plurality of members of triangular truss formation, a seat and a stirrup supported by said body, and a running wheel rotatably connected with said framework substantially below saidy seat.

9. A sulky having a framework consisting y of shafts and a body formed by a plurality of members of triangular truss format-ion,

2. A sulky having `a single wheel and aY framework comprising shafts anda body.

aseat and a'stirrup supported by said body, a running wheel rotatably connected with Asaid framework substantially below said seat, and =a stabilizing wheel upon each side of the runningwheel, supported by the said framework. i

10.1n a -sulky shaft the combination with `a plurality of substantially similarly shapcdmembers, of a plurality of spread-1 ing devices adapted to hold the'saidmem-v bers in fixed relation to eachother, a crosssection ofthe said shaft being substantially triangular. A f

g 11. A :sulk'y shaft comprising a plurality of'similar longitudinal members held rigid-r ly apart at a fixed distance, each ofthe said I members forming a corner Vof a polygon lconstitut-ing a cross-section of the-said sha-ft.

y 12. A sulky shaft comprising a plurality f eld apart at Va fixed distance, each of the said members-lying at the apex of a triangle constituting a cross-section of the Saidshaft.

13. 1n. a sulkyl shaft the. Combination with a pluralityy of similar longitudinal members, closely bound together at or near one end of the said shaft and being gradually spread apart as they extend therefrom, of a plurality of spreading devices of .different sizes, each adapted to hold the said members rigidly apartat a fixed distance,y

in such manner that the cross-section of the bers closely bound together near one end similar longitudinal members, rigidly of the said Vshaft and spreading apart asv` they extend therefrom, and a plurality of triangular spreadersv adapted to holdfthe said members rigidly apart.

' 15. InV a sulky the .combination with a plurality of similar longitudinalV members closely bound together at lor near their ends, and spread apart between the said ends, of means for rigidly holding the said members apart, a cross-section of the framework being a polygon with each of the said membersl at a corner thereof. y Y v `16. A sulky comprising a framework and a running wheel rot-ably mounted upon the said framework., the said wheel lying withina vert-ical plane through` the longitudinal axis of theframework, said framework comprising the-shafts Vof the body ofY the saidV .i

' sulky being of triangular truss formation..

17. In a. sulky the combination with two i shafts of Va single running wheel lying in a vertical plane through the longitudinal. axis of the shafts, each of the said shafts being made up of a plurality of members closely bound together at or near the forward endV thereof yand spreading, apart as they extend rearwardly therefromforming a trussed structure of substanially polygonal form with the said members at the corners thereof, they said members of each` sha-fty bending` rinwardly at the rear of the shafts, and Certain of said members extendingr downwardly and convergingat or near the point of support of the said wheel.

18. In a sulky the combination with ay from forming a trussed structure ofl substantially polygonal form with the said niembers at the corners thereof, the said members of each shaft bending inwardly at the rear of the shafts, and oertain'of said members extending downwardly andv converging at or near' the point of support vof the said wheel. l f

19. In a sulky the Combination with a framework of a running wheel rotatably supported near the rear end ofthe said framework in a. vertical planezthrfough the longitudinal axis of the said'lframework, the said framework including' two shafts, each comprising a plurality of members Closely bound together .near the forward end thereof and gradually spreading` apart as `they extend rearwardly, the said members of each.

shaft being bent inwardly toward the said longitudinal axis, thence downwardly and converging at the point of support of thel said wheel,'eaeh of the' said shafts having means to maintain the said members rigidlyv separated, andthe said frameworkV having,`

means to hold the Vshaft members rigidly to-V fether between the Joint where the said L1 members bend inwardly and the point ofV support of the said running wheel.k

-ln testimony whereof, VI havesigned my nme to this specification this 2d day of O otober, 1924:, f

y lHammer WILMERHANANV. I 

